South tower construction underway on Memorial Bridge

fosters.com

Writer

Posted Feb. 19, 2013 at 7:00 AM
Updated Feb 19, 2013 at 7:55 AM

Posted Feb. 19, 2013 at 7:00 AM
Updated Feb 19, 2013 at 7:55 AM

PORTSMOUTH — With the new south span of the bridge in place, Archer Western placed the concrete bridge deck last week, using a piece of equipment called a Bidwell, and has begun erecting the south tower.

The steel tower pieces, fabricated by Structal Bridge in Claremont, are being erected piece by piece by a barge-mounted crane located adjacent to the south span. Archer Western estimates that it will take about a month to complete this portion of the work. As part of this, the Control House will begin taking shape as crews begin to erect the frame of that building at the very top of the south span.

Ironworkers continue to construct the north fixed span superstructure on a barge located at the N.H. State Pier, just as they did with the south span. Sometime in March, the north span will be completed and floated into place at low tide, using the same process as used for the south span.

The Kittery Approach structure is substantially complete, with concrete wingwalls, utility work, paving and final clean up scheduled for the spring.

The new Memorial Bridge is scheduled to be open to traffic this summer. The final work, which includes completing approach work, the channel fender system, landscaping and cleanup, will take until the end of the year to complete.

More information on the bridge construction project can be found at www.memorialbridgeproject.com. Those who want to receive regular email updates may send a request to Carol Morris, Archer Western Public Outreach, at cmorris@morriscomm.net.